Anger. Is it a sin?

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Cristo Rei

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Is anger a sin?

I've gone from thinking anger is a sin to thinking anger is not a sin without aggression.
So it's not the feeling that is the sin but the action from it that could result in sin

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry Ephesians 4:26

But then i thought to myself, there are feelings that are listed as sins in the bible. Lust is the first one that comes to mind, envy/jealousy is another.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 5:28

Ok so it's settled, anger is a sin... And that was my thought on it for a while until I revisited it.

I found that anger and lust were unavoidable in me.
If someone abuses me my first feeling is of anger
If i see a beautiful woman my first thought is a lustful one (more true for young men)
Jealousy is the same but not as often for me. I might feel it if I see a Ferrari go by

Do we have any control over these first initial feelings. I don't think we do
But these feelings are not from the Holy Spirit, are they from the evil one...

So how can i be in sin for having feelings that I cannot control, most likely caused by the original sin which wasn't my fault...

I needed a better understanding of it

Feeling angry is a natural response and sometimes justified. Righteous indignation.
It becomes a sin when u hold onto that anger, it becomes resentment
It's the same with lust and jealousy. Holding onto these dark emotions is sinful

Resentment is such an evil feeling. It eats a persons soul.
Even science says the same thing now, psychologists say its a danger to mental health
That's why we are urged to love our enemies and forgive people 77 times. Probably some of the most difficult things that Jesus asked us to do

So how can we go about trying to achieve these lofty benchmarks...
Make no doubt about it, it's the evil one trying to keep such feelings in you
Overcoming these feelings is a form of spiritual warfare
It's a battle to overcome the desires of the evil one. A topic for another thread i think


Sorry for making the post so long, i hope its not boring
What do u think? When does a feeling become a sin?
 
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CharismaticLady

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Is anger a sin?

I've gone from thinking anger is a sin to thinking anger is not a sin without aggression
So it's not the feeling that is the sin but the action from it that could result in sin

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry Ephesians 4:26

But then i thought to myself, there are feelings that are listed as sins in the bible.
Lust is the first one that comes to mind, envy/jealousy is another.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 5:28

Ok so it's settled, anger is a sin...
And that was my thought on it for a while until I revisited it.

I found that anger and lust were unavoidable in me
If someone abuses me my first feeling is of anger
If i see a beautiful woman my first thought is a lustful one (more true for young men)
Jealousy is the same but not as often for me. I might feel it if I see a Ferrari go by

Do we have any control over these first initial feelings. I don't think we do
But these feelings are not from the Holy Spirit, are they from the evil one...

So how can i be in sin for having feelings that I cannot control, most likely caused by the original sin which wasn't my fault...
I needed a better understanding of it

The answer is in the 2nd part of Ephesians 4:26 which i quoted earlier

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry
Feeling angry is a natural response and sometimes justified. Righteous indignation
It becomes a sin when u hold onto that anger, it becomes resentment

It's the same with lust and jealousy. Holding onto these dark emotions is sinful

Resentment is such an evil feeling. It eats a persons soul
Even science says the same thing now, psychologists say its a danger to mental health

That's why we are urged to love our enemies and forgive people 77 times
Probably some of the most difficult things that Jesus asked us to do

So how can we go about trying to achieve these lofty benchmarks...
Make no doubt about it, it's the evil one trying to keep such feelings in you
Overcoming these feelings is a form of spiritual warfare
It's a battle to overcome the desires of the evil one. A topic for another thread i think

I just had a thought. Maybe this is what Paul struggled with in Romans 7:14-25
I always wondered what Paul was talking about there cos it sounds like he is battling an addiction which is why that passage has always resonated with me.
It's the best answer i have come up with but i need to think about that some more

Sorry for making the post so long, i hope its not boring
What do u think? When does a feeling become a sin?

Jesus wasn't calm, cool and collected when He turned over the money changer's tables at the temple. He was beyond angry. He was enraged. But that anger is not sin, it is righteous indignation.

The anger that could be a sin is that which causes division. It doesn't have to be lawlessness, just a trespass. And we are to forgive each other our trespasses against each other and be reconciled. Otherwise God won't forgive our own trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15.
 

Dcopymope

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Well Jesus was quite the angry fellow sometimes when it came to the Pharisees, so I'd say no, not if its righteous anger.
 
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Hidden In Him

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Do we have any control over these first initial feelings. I don't think we do


Wonderful thread, and timely. Let me start with this right here. I think we can develop control over even the initial feelings, but what it takes is developing endurance, as James talked about specifically in James 1:2-4. And what that involves is developing new thresholds of what you can withstand before becoming angry. I have found that I am becoming less and less bothered or offended by the insults of those who are distant from me, but I noticed just yesterday that I am still vulnerable to becoming deeply hurt and offended by those who I've allowed into my life who then turn on me, and betray the trust I once placed in them as a friend.

But I am learning that this is also something that a spiritual warrior must be prepared to deal with and endure as well, and that through the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ it can be endured in strength and love and mercy for the other person, not in resentments.

And that brings me to my second point: The closer we walk with the Lord and abide in His Presence on a daily and hourly basis, the more His Spirit empowers us to walk in love, no matter what situation we might encounter. His grace fills us, and we walk in the Power of the Spirit, not returning evil for evil or even desiring to, but constantly seeking to overcome evil with good.

I can't say as I agree with the concept of a believer's "righteous anger" in most instances. The only exception would be when we are filled with the Spirit of God and HIS anger is being felt within us. But James also talked about this, and most Christians get tempted into thinking their anger is God's when it actually isn't (James 1:13-14). It is actually just them becoming tempted by demons, who try to then convince them that the ensuing sins they commit are thus justified by God.

The other verse is "put aside ALL anger, malice, wrath, etc.," and I believe this is because the vast majority of Christian anger in no way is arising from the Lord's righteous anger. So it must be put aside. I can testify that no good comes from me when I am upset. It does not mean the Lord hasn't called me to chastise someone, but if it is done with even a little anger or resentment in my heart, it will be done sinfully and selfishly rather than in love, as the Lord commands.

God bless, and great topic. And you are 100% correct that such emotions should not be held on to. Removing them from our hearts just as quickly as possible is the very least of our responsibilities before the Lord. Even the weakest of the saints must do this, though sin crouches at the door and can easily beset us all.

God bless,
Hidden In Him
 

marks

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While Jesus was angry, that doesn't mean our anger is OK.

In your anger do not sin. There seems to be an open invitation to sin in becoming angry.

The wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. Our anger is not useful I don't think.

Much love!
 
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marks

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And what that involves is developing new thresholds of what you can withstand before becoming angry. I have found that I am becoming less and less bothered or offended by the insults of those who are distant from me, but I noticed just yesterday that I am still vulnerable to becoming deeply hurt and offended by those who I've allowed into my life who then turn on me, and betray the trust I once placed in them as a friend.

But I am learning that this is also something that a spiritual warrior must be prepared to deal with and endure as well, and that through the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ it can be endured in strength and love and mercy for the other person, not in resentments.

And that brings me to my second point: The closer we walk with the Lord and abide in His Presence on a daily and hourly basis, the more His Spirit empowers us to walk in love, no matter what situation we might encounter. His grace fills us, and we walk in the Power of the Spirit, not returning evil for evil or even desiring to, but constantly seeking to overcome evil with good.
We remain in our Savior's love, being forgiven all our sins, and so we continue to give that love to others, not holding their sins against them. Even when they impact us.

Much love!
 

Hidden In Him

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We remain in our Savior's love, being forgiven all our sins, and so we continue to give that love to others, not holding their sins against them. Even when they impact us.

Much love!

Much love to you, too, brother : ) And thank you for the kind post. I appreciate that : )

God bless!
 
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MattMooradian

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Anger, lust, judgmental attitude, jealousy, greed, etc. are all sins. We must repent of these sins on a daily basis and almost all of us return to these sins the following day. Our fallen nature prods us to lust because that is evolution - we must pass on our genetics. This is the only thing that nature wants. Anger is also evolutionary - survival of the fittest - we must protect our genetics. Prejudice also has its roots in evolution: protect genetics that are perceived to be similar to my genetics. Christians should acknowledge that they all return to their sinful ways in one or two days. Pride over being sinless is delusional (only Jesus was without sin). To believe that all your sins are in the past is simply self-deception. The fight against sin is an internal battle the we must wage (with God's help) every day.
 
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Cristo Rei

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Fantastic food for thought guys. Cheers

I think we can develop control over even the initial feelings, but what it takes is developing endurance, as James talked about specifically in James 1:2-4. And what that involves is developing new thresholds of what you can withstand before becoming angry. I have found that I am becoming less and less bothered or offended by the insults of those who are distant from me, but I noticed just yesterday that I am still vulnerable to becoming deeply hurt and offended by those who I've allowed into my life who then turn on me, and betray the trust I once placed in them as a friend.

U know what, u convinced me that we can change the initial feeling. U reminded me of what i used to be like.
At school i only had one way to deal with things, through violence.
I would get easily offended and would fight if i thought his actions were punishable.
The only good thing was that no one would ever bother me and everyone was friendly... LoL

But when I got out into the real world i had to change cos violence is unacceptable and looking back, i have become more tolerant

I can't say as I agree with the concept of a believer's "righteous anger" in most instances. The only exception would be when we are filled with the Spirit of God and HIS anger is being felt within us. But James also talked about this, and most Christians get tempted into thinking their anger is God's when it actually isn't (James 1:13-14). It is actually just them becoming tempted by demons, who try to then convince them that the ensuing sins they commit are thus justified by God.

The other verse is "put aside ALL anger, malice, wrath, etc.," and I believe this is because the vast majority of Christian anger in no way is arising from the Lord's righteous anger. So it must be put aside

I don't think that term "righteous indignation" means that it is approved by God, i think its a justified anger.
Lets take Jesus in the temple and try to apply it to our lives
I go to visit my father at his house. As i arrive i see someone jump out the window and start running away with a bag
This is righteous indignation i think. Any feeling that is softer than anger would be inappropriate in such a situation
And so u chase him down, kick his legs so he trips over, pin him down and tape him up until the cops arrive
That anger is justified, and even that aggression (the physical action) was justified

And you are 100% correct that such emotions should not be held on to. Removing them from our hearts just as quickly as possible is the very least of our responsibilities before the Lord.

Its so true. I was watching a psychologist delivering a lecture on youtube and he explained how terribly unhealthy it is to harbour resentment
And it came to me, through the Holy Spirit most likely because i immediately felt terrible for holding resentment against my parents
The next day I saw them and sat them down. I apologized to them and told them that i would do my best to never hold any resentment...
It was like i stepped out of a dark room into the light and i could see again

I had a friend named Lisa when I was a teen. She had a really close and loving relationship with her father. One day they had an argument
It wasn't a huge argument, they didn't speak to each other for a couple of days.
Anyway, that weekend as he was umpiring a local football match, he had a stroke or something and died, was still in his 40s.
Lisa was devastated. Her last words to him was something mean, out of anger. Leaving on bad terms would effect her for the rest of her life
So i try to never hold resentment, especially against my family

The other verse is "put aside ALL anger, malice, wrath, etc.," and I believe this is because the vast majority of Christian anger in no way is arising from the Lord's righteous anger. So it must be put aside

Its almost always the will of the evil one. If it lingers in your heart and mind then it definitely is the evil one

I can testify that no good comes from me when I am upset

Amen and thank God I am able to much better identify it when it happens and remove myself from the situation.

Pride over being sinless is delusional (only Jesus was without sin). To believe that all your sins are in the past is simply self-deception. The fight against sin is an internal battle the we must wage (with God's help) every day.

Pride over being sinless... Is this the people who think they become as sinless as Christ after their "born again"?
Spiritual warfare is constant, even in the most subtle ways. Im usually disappointed when i bring up the subject because it doesn't attract much interest, some people prefer not to think about the tactics of the evil one. Others think that they don't get tempted at all by him

Anger is also evolutionary - survival of the fittest - we must protect our genetics.

That reminds me of a quote from Thomas Aquinas regarding anger. He says something like anger is essential, without it we would have no law or punishment, no learning or discipline, and he goes on to make the case that we need anger

So i'll ask u guys this. Is that first initial thought a sin if its anger or lust or something?
For example "shes gorgeous... lustful thought... focus adjusted away from lustful thought".
It all happens in the space of 10 seconds... Was it a sin???
 

RainAndIceCream

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Yikes! If anger is a sin then God has a lot of explaining to do about the Old Testament. And Emmanuel too when he cursed the temple elders and called them vipers and the like. And also, when he fashioned a whip and took it after the money changers.

I don't believe anger is a sin. If we feel it is, we need but repent and all is well. We're Human. God knows this. :)
 
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lforrest

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I can agree with psychologists that anger is a second hand emotion, It always has a trigger.

What angers someone may not anger others. What angers you can indicate where you are struggling with the flesh. I'm sure each of us can remember a situation where we shouldn't have gotten angry but we did. The very fact that you got angry from those things indicates a sin. I get very angry at incompetence, and being ignored. Remember Jonah's lesson in Jonah 4. A lot of anger can be cut off when we come to accept our rightful place in society. Dare I even say the full of it? To put it as succinctly and as kindly as possible we are sojourners.

There are some situations where it is completely justified to get angry, and that shouldn't be considered sin. But the Lord wants us to entrust vengeance to him, and forgive those who wrong us. When someone doesn't repent they will have God's wrath to deal with, but this is a victory for no one but the devil.
 
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